A prosecutor says Italian politicians were the intended target of a gunman who wounded two police officers outside the prime minister's office in Rome Sunday.

The attack came as Prime Minister Enrico Letta and his Cabinet were sworn in about a kilometer away in the presidential office, during a time of heightened political tensions in Italy.

The two wounded police officers are expected to survive, but one was shot in the neck and remains in serious condition. Police were able to arrest the suspect shortly after he opened fire late Sunday morning.

Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Angelino Alfano said that after the initial investigation, officials believe the attack was "an isolated gesture" carried out by "a 49-year-old unemployed man" who following his shooting spree apparently "showed that he wanted to commit suicide."